GHMC gets lions' share in tax collections

Hyderabad, Aug 25 (INN): To give a facelift to the infrastructure and other facilities, the State Government is planning to take up another round of 100-day development programme for the areas under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

Following the GHMC's appeal for more funds, the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has also permitted the GHMC to seek a share of 10 per cent on Motor Vehicles Tax and 100 percent on property tax, which would enhance its funds by Rs 300 crore.

Presently, the GHMC used to get 95 per cent of the share from the Property Tax collected in the GHMC limits by the Commercial Taxes Department. Accepting the GHMC's plea the Chief Minister has agreed to allow the GHMC to take entire 100 per cent Property Tax revenue for spending the same on infrastructure development in the city like roads under bridges, road over bridges, among others.

So far, the Commercial Taxes department used to share Rs 50 lakh towards Motor Vehicle Tax and Rs 50 crore from the Property Tax with the MCH. Now this revenue would be increased by almost three times.

Further, the Chief Minister has directed all authorities concerned to chalk out an action programme to take up works under the next 100-day programme scheduled at a cost of Rs 143 crore.

The programme is scheduled to be held in September in the city. The heads of the departments like GHMC, Transco and other nodal agencies have been directed to coordinate and ensure that infrastructure works were taken up during the 100-day scheme.

Municipal Administration Minister M Mahidhar Reddy, GHMC Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy and other officials were part of a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy here on Thursday.

Discussions in the review meeting mainly centred around the infrastructure development. Later, the Mayor briefed the media about the discussions held during the review meet.

Besides the Property Tax collection, the GHMC also urged the Chief Minister to allow it to collect even the Motor Vehicle Tax. The Mayor was of the opinion that since her department was the custodian of all roads in the city and funds were required for their upkeep of the roads, the GHMC must get the funds collected under MV Tax. She said the request was under Chief Minister's consideration.

Asked about the road slab collapse near Fever Hospital, GHMC Commissioner Krishna Babu clarified that the repair would require about Rs. 15 crore and tenders have been called to take up the works stretching to 2.5 km. He said the works were delayed mainly because of legal hurdles.